Planoqraph co



H. B. THOMPSON.

CINEMATOGRAPHIC TARGET.

APPLICATION man on. n. 1911.

Ronni;

THE coumau PLANOORAPH cm. wAsHlNfl'mN, D. 1:.

Patented July 8, 1919.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

HENRY r. THOMPSGN, or new roman. Y.,-ASSIG-NQRTO LYEDJIA 13. KOGH,'-0F'new YORK, my.

KCINEMA'IOGRAPHIQ Iran-our.

Specification-of Letters Patent. -z-Patei flg ed.J flyi8,- 1919 a liction area October 17, ioirijfs ri no. ie'eeei.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Henry B. THoMnso acitizen of the United States, resid ing, at the borough of Manhattan,city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful. Improvements in Cinemato graphic Targets, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to cinematographic targets and more particularly toimprovements in that portion of the targetstructure, the operations ofwhich facilitate marking the efficiency of. a marksman.

In a target made inaccordance with-my invention, the screen, as in othertargetsof this character, consists of a,conti nuous strip or web ofpaper, or other lightimpenetratable material, the feeding and guidingmeans tor which strip or web are so arranged and constructed as toinsure that portion thereof uponwhich an image is projected, remainingat all times perfectly taut, this strip or web heing rewound as it isbeing fed through the machine. This feeding mechanism is so construetedas to insure a un1-.

form tension upon this strip or web at the sight opening of the targetirrespective of variance in the dimensions of the rewinding wheels. f

A further characteristic of my invention is a simplification of the backplate'or shield structure to iacilita'te the adjustment of theindividual plates ofjthis structure, torender them more or lesssensitive askdesired to the force exerted by the impact of a bullettherewith. V i

I also provide in conjunction with said ba;k plate or shield structure,a make and break mechanism in the/circuit controlling the projector andother mechanisms in the apparatus, which will be substantiallyinstan-tly actuated by the movement-of any of the plates of the backplate or shieldstruc turo. and which will not be subjected to substantial deterioration by reason of sparking. A target madein accordancewith my .invention is capable of operation withrabsolute reliability"and: witlra rapidity commensurate with those severe tests to which atarget is subjected when a number .of; marksmen are utilizing same. j 5

T he make and break-mechanism is so con;

.structed as to not only heoperat-ive with very slight movement of anyplate of the backplate or. shield structurerbut to store the energyapplied thereto by the plate in a man.- nerto permit the utilization of.a portion of this make and break mechanism for'restori-ng the plate tonormal prior to the restoration ofthe circuit to normal. This limitationin the quantity of movementrequired for actuatingthe make and breakmechanism permitssijmpli'city in the structure of the operativeconnections between each plate and the make and loreakmechanismassociated therewith it being-essential that each pla'te haveas sociatedtherewith its own make and break mechanism;

The make and break mechanisms are so arrangedas to very much simplifythe wiringot thetarget with a' consequent reduction in likelihood ofsuch a disarrangement of parts as would tend to interfere with thecontinued operation of the target, while. in the event of .such a'disarrangement, the trouble may' loe readily located .and quicklyremedied." p

"The entire structure of the target is "such asto' permit its productionwith a minimum of specially formed and shaped parts, thus permittingeconomy inthe construction of the target.

I so constructt'he target that the opening of the front frame throughwhich the screen is presented, may be elevated to the desired heightwhile adequate "protection from s'trayjshots, will ibe afforded theworking parts of the target structure.

The inventlon conslsts inJthej noyel jfeatufres of construction and.conrbination ot' part-s, hereinafter set forth an'd describ'ed andmoreparticularly pointed outr in the claims heretoappended. I

f Referring to the drawings;

Figure 1 is a sideview partly in section and partly in elevation of atarget structure embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear v'ew of-one of the plates and the make and breakmechanism ,associated therewith; l i '.Fig. 3 isa sectional. view of aportion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 and.

Fig. 4c is a 'detailviewin elevation ofthe mount for theloaok plate. i

Like letters refer to-like parts throughout theseveral views.

Inthe embodimentof myinventionshovvn the drawings,themainlframe iscomposed of vertical bars a connected by suitable horizontar cross barsto impart the desired rigidity to the structure. Carried by this frameis a deep frame Z) located at the front of the target structure andhaving therein a sight opening of the desired dimensions through whichthe screen is exposed. Connected with the vertical bars a adjacent thetop thereof are cross bars a braced by corner plates while toward thebottom of the frame are cross bars extending parallel with the .bars a.Suitably supported from the bars CZ are bearings for a reel 0 containingthe paper strip or web (Z. Y

' The strip or web (Z in passing from the reel 0 is passed about theguide roller 6, below the frame Z), over and around the roller 6 carriedby the cross bar a" above the frame 6, and about the rollers e e theformer of which is closely adjacent theroller e and the latter of whichis adjacent the roller 6, thus positioning two parallel reaches of thestrip or web (Z closely adjacent and rearwardly of the sight opening inthe frame 6. The rollers ec and ee are so positioned in relation to eachother to bring the two reaches of said strip or web practically intoengagement with each other so as to insure accuracy in the register ofthe openings formed by the passage of a bullet through said reaches,

The roller (2 is mounted between corresponding plates uponopposite-sides of the machine, whilethe roller (2 is mounted upon thecrossbars After leaving the roller c the strip or web (Z passes about aroller f mounted upon the bars (63 upwardly and around a roller fmounted upon the braces (1 and downwardly to a pair of presser rollers gand g mounted in suitable bearings upon cross bars at below and parallelto the cross bar One of the rollers gg is adjustable with relation tothe other to regulate the pressure exerted by said rollers upon thestrip or web (Z, suitable means actuated by the handle 9 being providedto permit the regulation of this pressure.

After leaving the roller 9', the paper strip or web passes to arewinding reel it, said rewinding reel being driven in any desiredmanner as by being belted toone of the rollers gg, the character of thisdrive being such as to permit slippage to compensate for the gradualincrease in the diameter of the roller as the web is gradually rewound.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the presser rollers 9-9" areconstantly rotated by means of a motor 2' and a speed reducing mechanismillustrated conventionally at 7', said mechanism being operativelyconnected to the motor and to one of the presser rollers as g. Thisconstruction is essential since the rate oflineal traverse of the webmust be very slow, the

By running the strip or web (Z between the presser rollers 9-9, I notonly securefeeding movement of the strip at a uniform speed but flattenthe paper or other material of the web or strip in a manner to permit itto roll fairly flat upon the reel h. I have found, however, that thejagged opening formed upon the passage of a bullet through the paperprecludes any possibility of it being rolled tightly upon the reel ialthough in the event of the roll thereon becoming too large beforethestrip or web upon the reel 0 has been exhausted, the reel it may beremoved and another reel substituted therefor. The freedom from obstruction of the frame 6 adjacent the lower part thereof facilitates themounting and re moval of the reels o and 7t.

' The lower cross bars of the frame are provided with an extension isextending forwardly of the frame Z) and connected with the forwarduprights (a by inclined bars 7s terminating in a horizontal section Z inwhich the bearings for the reel 0 are formed. By this construction, thebars k may be used as skids in positioning the reel of paper web orstrip in relation to the target.

The portion of the target structure below the frame Z) is closed bymeans of an inclined shield Z which ordinarily will protect the motor,the supply reel, the rewinding reel, the presser mechanism and the speedbox from stray bullets fired at the target.

Suitable lighting fixtures Z) are arranged rearwardly of the frame 6 sothat light rays may escape through registering openings in the tworeaches of the frame Z) adjacent and rearwardly of said frame.

Adjacent the rear of the frame work of the target structure, is a backplate structure comprising a series of overlapping plates m steppedin'relation to each other,

said plates being mounted, so as to be normally balanced or slightlyoverbalanced toward the frame 6 and pivotally supported so as tooscillate freely under the force of the impact'of a bullet therewith.Each of (the plates on extends transversely of the frame structure, theopposite sides thereof terminating beyond the sight opening in the frame6 thus permitting the pivotal supporting means to be positioned withoutthe range of bullets passing through the screen.

The various plates m are supported from upwardly inclined angle bars itupon opposite sides of the machine, one flange of said angle bars beingpresented toward the framemesses i b. Each of the plates at is providedwitha screw m adjustably mounted ina flangeof the barn. Said screw isprovided with lock nuts onfi-mfi acting upon opposite sides of saidflange, so as to hold said screw in :any adjusted position. The endofeach-scr-e-w is slotted, and straddles the flange of the leg mpivotally connected therewith. By

having the slot atthe end of the screw m of the proper depth, and havingsaid screw )ro'ect at an u wardan le the cscillator movement of theplate sup-ported by the screw, toward the frame '6, is limited.-

Each of the plates at is provided with suitable laterally extendingstifleniirg bars m to avoid a possible fiexure of said plates under theforce of the impact of a bullet therewith, thus permitting the'use oflight plates.

The electrical circuit by means of which the operative effect oftheprojector is determined, is controlled by the movement of any of theplates m under the force-of the impact of a bullet therewith. r

In the embodiment of the invention shown, I utilize the movement of theseveral plates at for controlling this circuit, by a structure embodyingtherein a channel beam 0 extending substantially parallel with andbetween the bars a. This channel beam is provided with a plate ofsuitable insulating material 0, and is closed by a back plate 0 Carriedby said insulating plate '0 are a plurality of make and breakmechanisms, one

such mechanism being positioned -rear wardly of each platem. A.description of but one of the make and break mechanisms is necessary. I

Carried by the insulating plate 0 is a fixed contact member p positionedadjacent an opening 0 through the bottom of the channel member 0 and theinsulating plate 0. Mounted upon said plate 0" adjacent said opening 0and projecting across same, is a spring contact member 7), the strengthof this spring being su-fliciently great to restore the back: plate atto normal, after said back plate has been displaced by the impact of abullet-thereupon. 'Sa'idsprin'g member is provided with an adjustablepoint contact p which may, if desired, be

provided witha platinum tip to prevent ranged in electrical series, itbeing essential that all of the IIIGClItl'l-lSIIlS be so set as toprovide a normally closed circuit, the inter-' 'ru-ption of whichcircuit will have the desired operative effect upon the projector,

and other mechanisms of a target apparatus,

controlled thereby. The first and the last 9 make and break mechanismsof this series, are electrically connected with the terminals from anydesired source of electrical supply.

Each of the plates is provided with a thrust member 7' adapted toproject through the opening 0 adjacent said plate and operatively engagethe spring member p of the make and break mechanism associated with saidplate. To avoid short circuiting of the apparatus through the frame ofthe machine, I form this thrust member of a block r otinsulating'inaterial, carried by the plate .m, a'meta'llic .sectionrsecured to said insulating block and a bearing pointr of insulating:material norm, lly in operative connection with the said spring contactmember'p'. By connecting the metallic section 1 with the insulatingblock '0" by means of :screw threads, slight adjustment of theinsulating bearin-g member r with re-' l-ation -to the-spring contactmember p may be seen-red, although the adjustabi lity of the' contact 39may permit the setting of theswi tch, or its regulation, to accord withany variance in the position of the plate m.

The operation of the herein described de vice is substantially asfollows Then a target made in accordance with my invention is in use,the motor a is continuously operated, thus driving the presser rollersgg at a continuous, uniform speed. This speed, however, is very low so.asto impart a very slow traverse to the web or strip (Z, the speed box7' insuring the desired reduction ofspeed in said presserrollers, ascomparedwitlh that of the motor As the-web passes from the roller g itis gradually rewound upon the reel it thus affording storage of the usedpaper web or strip in a convenient manner to facilitate its removal fromthe machine and its return to the mill as scrap. The rollers gg keepthat portion of the paper strip or webbetw'een them and the reel aperfectly taut and will'also flatten the paper somewhat about the jaggedopen ings therein, to facilitate its rewinding upon the reel it.

When a fire arm is discharged at the target, the bullet passes throughboth parallel reaches of the paper strip or web (1 exposed through thesight openingof the frame I), leaving registering openings in saidreaches through which light rays from the lamps in the'fittings breflected'by the back reaches of the web pass, thus penc to insure therestoration of the struction and arrangement described, the

bullet must strike some one of these plates,

and' the entire energy of the bullet will therefore be. expended inphysically 'displacing the plate, since the plates themselves possesssuliicient rigidity to avoid flexure or distortion from the force of theimpact.

As a plate m moves toward the channel bar 0, the thrust mechanismcarried thereby will flex the spring contact member 7) and thus separatethe point p thereof, from the fiXed contact member 19 carried by theinsulating plate 0, interrupting the circuit and setting in vmotionother mechanisms which have the effect of stopping the projectorsubstantially simultaneously with the passage of the bullet through thescreen. The mechanisms for effecting this stoppage of the projector areimmaterial to the present invention as any well known mechanism may beemployed for this purpose.

The accumulated, energy resulting from the impact of a bullet with a'plate m, and the movement of the plate thereunder, after it leaves thevertical center meets resistance from the spring contact 1) andsufficient of this energy is stored in this spring plate on to normalafter a brief interval.

By utilizing a normally closed electrical circuit having therein, inseries, a sequence of make and break mechanisms the wiring of theapparatus is not only very much simplified, but reliability in theactuation of the controlling mechanism for the projector, is secured.

The manner of mounting the several plates m permits great nicety in theadjustment of these plates by a very simple mechanism which not onlyserves to pivotally support, the plates, but also to define the limit oftheir movement toward the frame Z). The adjustment of the plates tosecure the desired balanced or overbalanced condition thereof, iseffected by merely moving the point of pivotal support of the platestoward or away from the frame Z) by means of the screws m pivotallyconnected with the respective legs m of the plates.

In the event of a failure of the mechanism to properly respond to animpact of abullet with the back plate structure, inspection of the makeand break mechanism and of the means for determining the normal positionof each of the plates, may be conveniently had from the back of thetarget structure and any readjustment of the electrical contacts, or thepivotal supports for the several plates, may be readily effected. Theelectriplate to rebound when restored to normal by,

a spring contact member 79.

As heretofore stated the weight of the plates may be very much reducedby using back braces such as m, thus increasing the sensitiveness ofthese back plates by reason of the lessening of the load which must beneutralized or overcome by the force of the impact of a bullettherewith.

In targets made in accordance with m invention,-it is customary to usesmall caliber fire arms and light charges of ammunition, the purpose ofthe target primarily being to familiarize marksmen with fire arms andwith firing at moving targets. The use of such targets with longrangepractice is not feasible. A target of this character must therefore beadapted for use at short ranges and with fire arms developing lowvelocity in the missile. These characteristics are present in the targetherein shown and described.

It is not my intention to limit the invention, to the precise details ofconstruction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent thatsuch may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope oftheinvention.

Having described what I claim as new and desire to have protected byLetters Patent is V l. A cinematographic target embodying therein aframe having a sight opening therein, means adapted to support a reel ofpaper strip or web adjacent said frame, guide rollers adapted to conductsaid paper strip or web in closely adjacent parallel reaches across thesight opening, in 'said frame, a pair of presser rollers, guiding meansfor said paper strip or web between the parallel reaches thereof andsaid presser rollers, a rewinding reel, means simultaneously actuatingsaid presser rollers and said rewinding reel, and a back plate structurerearwardly of said parallel reaches.

2. Afcinematograpliic target embodying therein a frame having a sightopening therein, means adapted to support a reel of paper strip or webbelow said frame, a guide roller betweensaid reel and below said frame,a guide roller abovesaid frame around which the paper strip or web maypass, a guide roller below said last'named roller about whichthe paperstrip or web may pass, a guide roller below said frame whereby twoclosely adjacent parallel reaches of said strip or web are positionedacross the sight opening in said frame, presser rollers, guide rollersbelow and above said frame about which the strip or web may passto saidpresser rollers, a rewinding reel, means simultaneously actuating saidpresscr rollers and said'rewinding reel, and a back plate structurerearwardly of said parallel reaches.

3. A cinematographic target embodying therein a frame having, a sightopening therein, means adapted to support a reel of paper strip or webbelow said'frame, a guide roller between said reel and below said frame,a guide roller above said frame around which the paper strip or web maypass, a guide roller below said last named. roller about whicht'he paperstrip or web may pass, a guide roller below said frame whereby twoclosely adjacent parallel reaches of said strip, or web are. positionedacross the sight opening in saidframe,'presser rollers,- guide rollersbelow and-above said frame aboutwhich the strip or web may pass to saidpresser rollers, arewindingreel, a continuously rotating motor,connections between said motor and said presser rollers whereby saidrollers are continuously rotated at very low, uniform speed, comiectionsbetween said presser rollers and said rewinding reel, and a back platestructure 'rearwardly of said parallel'reaches.

Al. A. cinematographic target embodying therein a frame having a sightopening therein, a movable, light impenetratable, frangible, screen,means adapted 'to impart movement to said. screen, a back plate orshield embodying therein a plurality ofindependently movable,overlapping, oscillatory plates, pivotal supports for each-of, saidplates, means adjacent said'pivotal-supports limiting the oscillatorymovement of the plate, and an electric circuit including therein aplurality of make and break mechanisms, each associated with a backplate, and adapted to be actuated substantially simultaneously with themovement ofits associated back plate after the impact of a bulletthereupon.

5. A cinematographic target embodying it therein a frame having a sightopening therein, a movable, light impenetratable, frangible, screen,means adapted to impart movement tosaid screen, a back plate or shieldembodying therein a plurality of independently movable overlapping,oscillatory plates, adjustable members movable toward and from thescreen, pivotal connections between each of said plates and cooperatingadjustable members whereby said plates may be set by varying theposition of its pivotal supporting means with relation to the screw, andan electric circuit'including therein a plurality of make and breakmechanisms, each associated with a back plate, and adapted to beactuated substantially simultaneously with the movement of itsassociated back plate after the impact of a bullet thereupon; V

6. A cinematographic target embodying therein a frame having a sightopening therein, a movable, light I impenetratable, frangible, screen,means adapted to impart movement to said screen, a back plate or shieldembodying therein a plurality of independently movable, overlapping,oscillatory plates, i-nclined bars adjacent opposite sides of thetarget, adjustable slotted'screws, carriedby said 'bars, legs upon theopposite sides-of each of'said plates adapted to enter the slotin saidscrews, and pivotal comiections between each of said screws and thetarget legcooperating therewith, whereby said plate maybe setby'movement ofsaid screws toward or from said screw, and'the bottom ofthe slot in said screw will limit the oscillatory movement ofsaid'plate.

'7; A cinematographic target embodying therein a frame having a sightopening therein, a movable, light impenetratable, frangible, screen,means adapted to impart movement to said screen, a back plate or shieldembodying. therein a'pl urality of' in dependently movable, overlapping,oscillatory plates, pivotal supports for each of said plates, meanslimiting the oscillatory pact of abullet with any ,of -saidlplates,comprlsinga normally closed, electrical circuit containing therem, inseries, a sequence of -make and break mechanisms, adjacent, said platesrespectively, and means carried by each of" said plates adapted tooperatively' engage its cooperating make and -break mechanism.

' ,8. A cinematographic targethembodying therein 'a frame having a sightopening therein,v a movable, light impenetratable, frangible, screen,means adapted to impart movement to' said screen, a back plate orshieldiembodying therein a plurality of in 'dependently movable,overlapping oscillatory plates, pivotalsupports for each of said plates,means limiting 'the oscillator-y move- ,7 'ment; of said platesrespectively, a support,

insulating material carried thereby, sa d beam and said material havingan ,openmg therethrough, and means operative Sub'stan tiallysimultaneously with 'ithe impact. of a bullet'upon any of said plates,compr sing a therein, "in. series, a sequence of make and "breakmechanisms adjacent said platesrespectively, consisting of a fixedelectrical mally engaging its opposed fixed contact,

and in constant electrical connection with the fixed contact of theadjacent make and normally closed electrical circuit containi'ng breakmechanism, and a thrust member carried by each plate, projecting throughone of said openings, and operatively engaging a spring contact, wherebythe movement of a any plate will interrupt the circuit, and said springcontact after each actuation will substantially snnultaneously restore1ts cooperating plate to normal, and close the circuit.

9. A cinematographic target embodying therein a frame having a sightopening therein, a movable, light impenetratable, frangible screen,means adapted to impart movement to said screen, a back plate or shieldembodying therein a plurality of indejector will be stoppedsubstantially simultaneously with the impact of a bullet with any ofsaid plates, comprising a normally closed electrical circuit containingtherein, in series, a sequence of make and break mechanisms adjacentsaid plates respectively, consisting of a fixed electrical contactcarried by said insulating material adj acent eachopening therethrough,a spring contact carried by said material normally engaging its opposedfixed contact, and in constant electrical connection with the fixedcontact of the adjacent make and break mechanism, and a thrust membercarried by each plate, comprising an insulating block carried by theplate, a stem carried by said block and an insulating impact point,projecting through one of said openings and operatively engaging aspring contact, whereby the movement of any plate will interrupt thecircuit, and said spring contact after each actuation will substantiallysimultaneously restore its cooperating plate to normal, and close thecircuit.

7 10. A cinematographic target embodying therein a frame having a sightopening therein, a movable, light impenetratable, frangible screen,means adapted to impart movement to said screen, a back plate or shieldembodying therein a plurality of independently movable, overlappingoscillatory plates, pivotal supports for each of said plates, adjustablemeans limiting the oscillatory movement of said plates re Copies of thispatent may be obtained for spectively, a support, insulating materialcarried thereby, said beam and said material having an openingtherethrough, and means whereby a projector will be stoppedsubstantially simultaneously with the impact of a bullet with any ofsaid plates, comprising a normally closed electrical circuit containingtherein, in series, a sequence of make and break mechanisms adjacentsaid plates respectively, consisting of a fixed electrical contactcarried by said insulating material adjacent each opening therethrough,a spring contact carried by said material normally engaging its opposedfixed contact, and inconstant electrical con nectionwith the fixedcontact of the adjacent make and break mechanism, said spring contacts,each having an adjustable point whereby the make and break mechanismsmay be synchronized with adjustment of said plates, and a thrust member'carried. by each plate, projecting through one of said openings, andoperatively engaging a spring contact, whereby the movement of any platewill interrupt the circuit, and said spring contact after each actuationwill substantially simultaneously restore its cotiper- ,atmg plate tonormal, and close the circuit.

11. A cinematographic target embodying therein an elevated frame havinga sight opening therein, means adapted to support a reel of paper stripor web below said frame, guide rollers adapted to conduct said paperstrip or web in closely adjacent parallel reaches across the sightopening in said frame, a pair of presser rollersbelow said guiding meansfor-said-paper strip or web between the parallel reaches thereof,

and said presser rollers, a rewinding reel a below said meanssimultaneously actuating said presser rollers and said rewm'ding reel,below said frame, a removable shield forwardly of and below said frame,whereby the various strip feeding mechanisms are I protected from straybullets, and a back plate structure rearwardly of said parallel reaches.a

In witness whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of twosubscribing' iwitnesses, this 29th day of September 19 1 HENRY B;THOMPSON, Witnesses:

BERTHA MUELLER, CLARIGE FRANCE.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,20.12. i

